System and method to control a three-dimensional (3d) printer

ABSTRACT

A method include obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object. The method also includes generating first machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to generate a first portion of a physical model of the object by depositing material using a syringe extruder. The first machine instructions indicate a first value of a pressure setting, the pressure setting indicating a pressure to be applied to the syringe extruder. The method also includes generating second machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to generate a second portion of the physical model of the object by depositing material using the syringe extruder. The second machine instructions indicate a second value of the pressure setting, the second value different from the first value.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/208,222, filed Aug. 21, 2015 and entitled“Closed-Loop 3D Printing Incorporating Sensor Feedback,” U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/340,389, filed May 23, 2016 andentitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD TO CONTROL A THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D)PRINTER,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/340,421, filed May23, 2016 and entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD TO CONTROL A THREE-DIMENSIONAL(3D) PRINTER,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/340,453, filedMay 23, 2016 and entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD TO CONTROL ATHREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) PRINTING DEVICE,” U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/340,436, filed May 23, 2016 and entitled “SYSTEM ANDMETHOD TO CONTROL A THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) PRINTER,” and U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/340,432, filed May 23, 2016 andentitled “3D PRINTER CALIBRATION AND CONTROL,” the contents of each ofthe aforementioned applications are expressly incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to control of athree-dimensional (3D) printer device.

BACKGROUND

Improvements in computing technologies and material processingtechnologies have led to an increased interest in computer-drivenadditive manufacturing techniques, such as three-dimensional (3D)printing. Generally, 3D printing is performed using a 3D printer devicethat includes an extruder, one or more actuators, and a controllercoupled to some form of structural alignment system, such as a frame.The controller is configured to control the extruder and the actuatorsto deposit material, such as a polymer-based material, in a controlledarrangement to form a physical object.

SUMMARY

In a particular implementation, a method includes obtaining model dataspecifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object. The methodfurther includes processing the model data to generate a sliced modeldefining a plurality of layers to be deposited to form a physical modelof the object. The plurality of layers include a first layer and asecond layer, where the second layer is above and in contact with thefirst layer. The first layer includes a first region corresponding to afirst material and a second region corresponding to a second material,and the second layer includes a third region corresponding to the firstmaterial and a fourth region corresponding to the second material. Themethod further includes generating machine instructions executable by a3D printing device to deposit a portion of the first materialcorresponding to the first region and to the third region beforedepositing a portion of the second material corresponding to the secondregion and to the fourth region.

In another particular implementation, a method includes obtaining modeldata specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object andgenerating first machine instructions executable by a 3D printing deviceto generate a first portion of a physical model of the object bydepositing material using a syringe extruder. The first machineinstructions indicate a first value of a pressure setting, the pressuresetting indicating a pressure to be applied to the syringe extruder. Themethod also includes generating second machine instructions executableby the 3D printing device to generate a second portion of the physicalmodel of the object by depositing material using the syringe extruder.The second machine instructions indicate a second value of the pressuresetting.

In a particular embodiment, a computer-readable storage device storesinstructions that are executable by a processor to cause the processorto perform operations including obtaining model data specifying athree-dimensional (3D) model of an object. The operations also includeprocessing the model data to generate a sliced model defining aplurality of layers to be deposited to form a physical model of theobject, the plurality of layers including a first layer and a secondlayer. The second layer is above and in contact with the first layer.The first layer includes a first region corresponding to a firstmaterial and a second region corresponding to a second material. Thesecond layer includes a third region corresponding to the first materialand a fourth region corresponding to the second material. The operationsalso include generating machine instructions executable by a 3D printingdevice to deposit a portion of the first material corresponding to thefirst region and to the third region before depositing a portion of thesecond material corresponding to the second region and to the fourthregion.

In a particular embodiment, a computer-readable storage device storesinstructions that are executable by a processor to cause the processorto perform operations including obtaining model data specifying athree-dimensional (3D) model of an object. The operations also includegenerating first machine instructions executable by a 3D printing deviceto generate a first portion of a physical model of the object bydepositing material using a syringe extruder. The first machineinstructions indicate a first value of a pressure setting. The pressuresetting indicating a pressure to be applied to the syringe extruder. Theoperations also include generating second machine instructionsexecutable by the 3D printing device to generate a second portion of thephysical model of the object by depositing material using the syringeextruder. The second machine instructions indicate a second value of thepressure setting.

In a particular embodiment, a computing device includes a processor anda memory accessible to the processor. The memory stores instructionsthat are executable by the processor to cause the processor to performoperations including obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional(3D) model of an object. The operations also include processing themodel data to generate a sliced model defining a plurality of layers tobe deposited to form a physical model of the object. The plurality oflayers include a first layer and a second layer, where the second layeris above and in contact with the first layer. The first layer includes afirst region corresponding to a first material and a second regioncorresponding to a second material, and the second layer includes athird region corresponding to the first material and a fourth regioncorresponding to the second material. The operations also includegenerating machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device todeposit a portion of the first material corresponding to the firstregion and to the third region before depositing a portion of the secondmaterial corresponding to the second region and to the fourth region.

In a particular embodiment, a computing device includes a processor anda memory accessible to the processor. The memory stores instructionsthat are executable by the processor to cause the processor to performoperations including obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional(3D) model of an object. The operations also include generating firstmachine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to generate afirst portion of a physical model of the object by depositing materialusing a syringe extruder. The first machine instructions indicate afirst value of a pressure setting, where the pressure setting indicatesa pressure to be applied to the syringe extruder. The operations alsoinclude generating second machine instructions executable by the 3Dprinting device to generate a second portion of the physical model ofthe object by depositing material using the syringe extruder. The secondmachine instructions indicate a second value of the pressure setting.

In a particular embodiment, a three-dimensional (3D) printer deviceincludes one or more extruders configured to deposit a first materialand a second material on a deposition platform to generate a physicalmodel of an object. The physical model includes a plurality of layersincluding a first layer and a second layer, where the second layer isabove and in contact with the first layer. The first layer includes afirst region corresponding to the first material and a second regioncorresponding to the second material, and the second layer includes athird region corresponding to the first material and a fourth regioncorresponding to the second material. The 3D printer device alsoincludes an actuator coupled to the one or more extruders, thedeposition platform, or a combination thereof. The 3D printer devicealso includes a controller coupled to the actuator. The controller isconfigured to cause the one or more extruders to deposit a portion ofthe first material corresponding to the first region and to the thirdregion, after depositing the portion of the first material, to cause theone or more extruders to deposit a portion of the second materialcorresponding to the second region and to the fourth region.

In a particular embodiment, a three-dimensional (3D) printer deviceincludes a syringe extruder configured to deposit a material on adeposition platform at a flowrate based on a pressure regulator setting.The 3D printer device also includes an actuator coupled to the syringeextruder, to the pressure regulator, to the deposition platform, or to acombination thereof. The 3D printer device further includes a controllercoupled to the actuator. The controller is configured to cause thesyringe extruder to deposit, based on a first value of the pressureregulator setting, a first portion of the material at a first flowrateto form a first portion of a physical model and to cause the syringeextruder to deposit, based on a second value of the pressure regulatorsetting, a second portion of the material at a second flowrate to form asecond portion of the physical model.

In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving machineinstructions that enable a 3D printer to generate a physical model of anobject. The physical model includes a plurality of layers that includesa first layer and a second layer, where the second layer is above and incontact with the first layer. The first layer includes a first regioncorresponding to a first material and a second region corresponding to asecond material, and the second layer includes a third regioncorresponding to the first material and a fourth region corresponding tothe second material. The method also includes depositing, based on themachine instructions, a portion of the first material corresponding tothe first region and to the third region. The method further includes,after depositing the portion of the first material, depositing, based onthe machine instructions, a portion of the second material correspondingto the second region and to the fourth region.

In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving first machineinstructions associated with a first portion of a physical model of anobject and second machine instructions associated with a second portionof the physical model. The first machine instructions indicate a firstvalue of a pressure setting, where the pressure setting indicates afirst pressure to be applied to a syringe extruder. The second machineinstructions indicate a second value of the pressure setting, where thesecond value different from the first value. The method also includesdepositing, using the syringe extruder of a three-dimensional (3D)printer device, a portion of a material at a first flowrate to form thefirst portion based on the first machine instructions. The methodfurther includes depositing, using the syringe extruder, another portionof the material at a second flowrate to form the second portion based onthe second machine instructions. The first flowrate is different fromthe second flowrate.

In another particular implementation, a method includes obtaining modeldata specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object. The 3Dmodel includes a first portion corresponding to a first material and asecond portion corresponding to a second material. The method alsoincludes processing the model data to generate a sliced model defining aplurality of layers to be deposited to form a physical model of theobject. The method further includes identifying, based on the slicedmodel, an elongated feature extending between multiple layers of theplurality of layers and having, in each of the multiple layers,cross-sectional dimensions that satisfy a point-deposition criterion.The method also includes generating machine instructions executable by a3D printing device to, for a first layer of the multiple layers, deposita portion of the first material to define an opening associated with theelongated feature and deposit a portion of the second material withinthe opening according to a point-deposition technique.

In a particular implementation, a computer-readable storage devicestores instructions that are executable by a processor to cause theprocessor to perform operations including obtaining model dataspecifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object. The 3D modelincludes a first portion corresponding to a first material and a secondportion corresponding to a second material. The operations also includeprocessing the model data to generate a sliced model defining aplurality of layers to be deposited to form a physical model of theobject. The operations further include identifying, based on the slicedmodel, an elongated feature extending between multiple layers of theplurality of layers and having, in each of the multiple layers,cross-sectional dimensions that satisfy a point-deposition criterion.The operations also include generating machine instructions executableby a 3D printing device to, for a first layer of the multiple layers,deposit a portion of the first material to define an opening associatedwith the elongated feature and deposit a portion of the second materialwithin the opening according to a point-deposition technique.

In a particular embodiment, a computing device includes a processor anda memory accessible to the processor. The memory stores instructionsthat are executable by the processor to cause the processor to performoperations including obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional(3D) model of an object. The 3D model includes a first portioncorresponding to a first material and a second portion corresponding toa second material. The operations also include processing the model datato generate a sliced model defining a plurality of layers to bedeposited to form a physical model of the object. The operations furtherinclude identifying, based on the sliced model, an elongated featureextending between multiple layers of the plurality of layers and having,in each of the multiple layers, cross-sectional dimensions that satisfya point-deposition criterion. The operations also include generatingmachine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to, for a firstlayer of the multiple layers, deposit a portion of the first material todefine an opening associated with the elongated feature and deposit aportion of the second material within the opening according to apoint-deposition technique.

In a particular embodiment, a three-dimensional (3D) printer deviceincludes a first extruder configured to deposit a first material on adeposition platform and a second extruder configured to deposit a secondmaterial on the deposition platform. The 3D printer device also includesan actuator coupled to the first extruder, to the second extruder, tothe deposition platform, or to a combination thereof. The 3D printerdevice also includes a controller coupled to the actuator. Thecontroller is configured to cause the first extruder to deposit aportion of the first material to define an opening associated with anelongated feature of a physical model of an object. The elongatedfeature extends between multiple layers of a plurality of layers of thephysical model and has, in each of the multiple layers, across-sectional dimension that satisfies a point-deposition criterion.The controller is further configured to cause the second extruder todeposit a portion of the second material to form a portion of theelongated feature according to a point-deposition technique.

In an embodiment, a method includes receiving machine instructions thatenable generating a physical model of an object including an elongatedfeature, where the elongated feature extends between multiple layers ofa plurality of layers of the physical model and has, in each of themultiple layers, a cross-sectional dimension that satisfies apoint-deposition criterion. The method also includes depositing, using afirst extruder of a three-dimensional (3D) printer device, a portion ofa first material to define an opening associated with the elongatedfeature of the physical model. The method further includes depositing,using a second extruder of the 3D printer device, a portion of a secondmaterial to form a portion of the elongated feature according to apoint-deposition technique, where the point-deposition technique causesthe portion of the second material to be deposited within the opening.

Features, functions, and advantages described herein can be achievedindependently in various implementations or may be combined in yet otherimplementations, further details of which are disclosed with referenceto the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates a system that includes athree-dimensional (3D) printing device, according to a particularembodiment;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate extruding material having particular linewidths by a 3D printing device, according to particular embodiments;

FIGS. 3A, and 3B illustrate extruding material having particular lineheights by a 3D printing device, according to particular embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrate extruding material to fill an opening according toparticular embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrate extruding material to fill an offset distanceaccording to particular embodiments;

FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 illustrate various stages during modeling,slicing and printing of a physical model;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of an example of a method that may be performedby the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of another example of a method that may beperformed by the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of another example of a method that may beperformed by the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of another example of a method that may beperformed by the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of another example of a method that may beperformed by the system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 16 is a flow chart of another example of a method that may beperformed by the system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A 3D printer may be a peripheral device that includes an interface to acomputing device. For example, the computing device may be used togenerate or access a 3D model of an object. In this example, acomputer-aided design (CAD) program may be used to generate the 3Dmodel. A slicer application may process the 3D model to generatecommands that are executable by the 3D printer to form a physical modelof the object. For example, the slicer application may generate G-code(or other machine instructions) that instructs the controller of the 3Dprinter when and where to move the extruder and provides informationregarding 3D printer settings, such as extruder temperature, materialfeed rate, extruder movement direction, extruder movement speed, amongothers.

The slicer application may generate the G-code or machine instructionsby dividing the 3D model into layers (also referred to as “slices”). Theslicer application determines a pattern of material to be deposited toform a physical model of each slice. Generally, the physical model ofeach slice is formed as a series or set of lines of extruded material.The G-code (or other machine instructions), when executed by thecontroller of the 3D printer, causes the extruder to deposit a set oflines of the material in a pattern to form each layer, and one layer isstacked upon another to form the physical model. Layer stackingarrangements or support members can also be used to form lines of thematerial that are partially unsupported (e.g., arches).

There are many ways that the slicer application can arrange the patternof materials to be deposited to form each layer. Characteristics of a 3Dprint job may vary depending on how the slicer application arranges thepattern lines that make up each of the layers. For example, twodifferent patterns of lines may have different printing characteristics,such as an amount of time used to print the physical model, an amount ofmaterial used to print the physical model, etc. As another example, twodifferent patterns of lines may result in physical models that havedifferent characteristics, such as interlayer adhesion, weight,durability, etc. Accordingly, different slicer applications or differentsettings or configurations of the slicer application can affect theoutcome of a particular 3D print job.

In a particular embodiment, a 3D printer may include more than one printhead or more than one extruder. Different types of extruders may be usedto deposit different types of materials (e.g., physically or chemicallydistinct materials). For example, a filament-fed extruder may be used todeposit thermoplastic polymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA),acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) polymers, and polyamide, amongothers. Paste extruders, such as pneumatic or syringe extruders, may beused to deposit materials that are flowable at room temperature (or at atemperature controlled by the 3D printer). Examples of materials thatmay be deposited using syringe extruders include silicone polymers,polyurethane, epoxy polymers. syringe extruders may be especially usefulto deposit materials that undergo curing upon exposure to air or whenmixed together (such as multi-component epoxies).

Some 3D printers include multiple extruders to improve print speed or toenable printing with multiple different materials. For example, a firstextruder may be used to deposit a first material, and a second extrudermay be used to deposit second material. In this example, the first andsecond materials may have different visual, physical, electrical,chemical, mechanical, and/or other properties. To illustrate, the firstmaterial may have a first color, and the second material may have asecond color. As another illustrative example, the first material mayhave first chemical characteristics (e.g., may be a thermoplasticpolymer), and the second material may have a second chemicalcharacteristics (e.g., may be a thermoset polymer). As yet anotherillustrative example, the first material may be substantiallynon-conductive, and the second material may be conductive. In thisexample, the first material may be used to form a structure or matrix,and the second material may be used to form conductive lines orelectrical components (e.g., capacitors, resistors, inductors) of acircuit.

When a 3D printer uses multiple extruders to deposit multiple materials,determining when to switch between extruders can be challenging. Forexample, if an object being printed is formed of two different materials(e.g., a first material deposited by a first extruder and a secondmaterial deposited by a second extruder), a single layer of the objectmay include a region of the first material and a region of the secondmaterial. Switching extruders multiple times to print a single layer istime consuming and inefficient. Accordingly, the slicer application maybe configured to reduce a number of tool swaps (i.e., changing fromusing the first extruder to using the second extruder, or vice versa).To illustrate, the region of the first material may be deposited beforethe region of the second material.

Further, in some implementations, regions of multiple layers of thefirst material may be deposited before the second material is depositedin regions of the multiple layers. For example, a first layer mayinclude a first region associated with the first material and a secondregion associated with the second material. In this example, a secondlayer that is immediately adjacent to the first layer may include athird region associated with the first material and a fourth regionassociated with the second material. In this example, portions of thefirst material may be deposited to form the first region and the thirdregions. Subsequently, portions of the second material may be depositedto form the second region and the fourth region. Thus, some of thesecond material may be deposited on a layer below a highest layer of thefirst material that has been previously deposited.

In some instances, a 3D model may include a feature associated with onematerial that extends through multiple layers of the other material. Forexample, the feature may include a conductive feature (e.g. a wireformed of a conductive material) that is positioned such that it extendsbetween multiple layers of a non-conductive material (e.g., a matrixmaterial). In this example, the wire may have a relatively smallcross-section in each layer. Conventional deposition techniques move anextruder laterally (e.g., in an X-Y plane) as material is extruded;however, due to the small cross-section of wires, and other extendedfeatures, lateral motion of the extruder may be inconvenient. In aparticular embodiment, such extended features may be formed according toa point-deposition technique. To use the point-deposition technique, oneor more layers of the matrix material may be deposited to form anopening (or hole). A second material (e.g., the conductive material) maybe deposited in the opening according to the point-deposition technique.The point-deposition technique may control a flow rate and dwell time ofthe extruder such that enough of the second material is deposited tosubstantially fill the opening. If multiple layers of the matrixmaterial are deposited before the second material is deposited, an endof the extruder may be positioned with the opening (e.g., below an upperlayer of the matrix material). The extruder may begin extruding thesecond material, and the extruder may move vertically (e.g., along aZ-axis) relative to the physical model being formed. For example, adeposition platform may be moved away from the extruder. As anotherexample, the extruder may be moved away from the deposition platform.Thus, multiple layers of the second material may be deposited togetheraccording to the point-deposition technique. Depositing multiple layersof the second material together may improve interlayer adhesion.Additionally, if the second material is conductive, depositing multiplelayers of the second material together may improve electrical propertiesof a wire formed using the second material.

FIG. 1 illustrates a particular embodiment of a system 100 that includesa 3D printer device 101 and a computing device 102. A communicationinterface 146 of the 3D printer device 101 may be coupled, via acommunications bus 170, to a communication interface 105 of thecomputing device 102. The bus 170 may include a wired or wirelesscommunications interface. The 3D printer device 101 is configured togenerate physical models of objects based on a 3D model or commandsbased on model data.

In a particular embodiment, the computing device 102 includes aprocessor 103 and a memory 104. The memory 104 may include a computerreadable storage device (e.g., a physical, hardware device, which is notmerely a signal), such as a volatile or non-volatile memory device. Thecomputing device 102 may include a 3D modeling application 106. The 3Dmodeling application 106 may enable generation of 3D models, which canbe used to generate model data 107 descriptive of the 3D models. Forexample, the 3D modeling application 106 may include a computer-aideddesign application.

The computing device 102 or the 3D printer device 101 includes a slicerapplication 108. The slicer application 108 may be configured to processthe model data 107 to generate commands 109 that the 3D printer device101 (or portions thereof) uses during generation of a physical model ofan object represented by the model data 107. In the particularembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the commands 109 may include G-codecommands or other machine instructions that are executable by the 3Dprinter device 101 (or a portion thereof). The computing device 102 mayalso include a communications interface 105 that may be coupled via thecommunication bus 170 to the 3D printer device 101. For example, the 3Dprinter device 101 may be a peripheral device that is coupled via acommunication port to the computing device 102.

The 3D printer device 101 includes a frame 110 and support members 111arranged to support various components at the 3D printer device 101. Inparticular embodiments, the 3D printer device 101 may include adeposition platform 112. In other embodiments, the 3D printer device 101does not include a deposition platform 112 and another substrate orsurface may be used for deposition. The 3D printer device 101 alsoincludes one or more printheads. For example, in the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1, the 3D printer device 101 includes a firstprinthead 113 and an Nth printhead 115.

Although two particular printheads are illustrated in FIG. 1, in otherembodiments, the 3D printer device 101 may include more than twoprintheads or fewer than two printheads. Each printhead 113,115 includesa corresponding extruder with an extruder tip. For example, the firstprinthead 113 includes a syringe extruder 130 having a tip 131, and theNth printhead 115 includes an Nth extruder 134 including a tip 135. TheNth extruder 134 may include another syringe extruder or another type ofextruder, such as a filament-fed extruder.

The controller 141 may control one or more actuators 143 to move thedeposition platform 112 relative to the printheads 113, 115, to move theprintheads 113, 115 relative to the deposition platform 112, or both.For example, in a particular configuration, the deposition platform 112may be configured to move in a Z direction 140. In this example, theprintheads 113, 115 may be configured to move in an X direction 138 anda Y direction 139 relative to the deposition platform 112. Thus,movement of one or more printheads 113, 115 relative to the depositionplatform 112 may involve movement of the deposition platform 112,movement of one or more of the printheads 113, 115, or movement of boththe deposition platform 112 and the printheads 113, 115. In otherexamples, the deposition platform 112 may be stationary, and one or moreof the printheads 113, 115 may be moved. In yet other examples, the oneor more printheads 113, 115 may be stationary, and the depositionplatform 112 may be moved.

The controller 141 may also be coupled to a control system associatedwith the syringe extruder 130. For example, the syringe extruder 130 mayinclude a plunger 132 that is movable to force material through the tip131. The plunger 132 may be pneumatically, hydraulically, ormechanically controlled. For example, in the implementation illustratedin FIG. 1, the plunger 132 is coupled to a pressurized fluid source 164via a pressure regulator 160 and a valve 162. In this example, aposition of the valve 162 (e.g., open or closed) is controlled by thecontroller 141 to control when the syringe extruder 130 extrudesmaterial. To illustrate, to begin deposition of the material, thecontroller 141 causes the valve 162 to be moved to an open position, andto stop deposition of the material, the controller 141 causes the valve162 to be moved to a closed position. A pressure setting of the pressureregulator 160 may be controlled by the controller 141 to control anextrusion rate (e.g., a material flowrate) of the syringe extruder 130.To illustrate, to increase the flowrate, the pressure setting of thepressure regulator 160 may be increased to apply more pressure to theplunger 132. Conversely, to decrease the flowrate, the pressure settingof the pressure regulator 160 may be decreased to apply less pressure tothe plunger 132. Although the valve 162 is illustrated between thepressurized fluid source 164 and the pressure regulator 160 in FIG. 1,in other implementations, the pressure regulator 160 may be positionedbetween the valve 162 and the pressurized fluid source 164.

The 3D printer device 101 may also include a memory 142 accessible tothe controller 141. The memory 142 may include a computer readablestorage device (e.g., a physical, hardware device, which is not merely asignal), such as a volatile or non-volatile memory device. In aparticular embodiment, the memory 142 includes calibration data 148. Thecalibration data 148 may include information that indicates relativepositions of the printheads 113, 115. In the particular exampleillustrated in FIG. 1, the printheads 113, 115 may be independentlymovable by corresponding actuators 143 or may be movable together by oneor more actuators 143. The calibration data 148 may indicate distancesbetween printheads 113-115, extruder tips 131, 135, or both. Thecalibration data 148 may include extrusion rates or deposition ratesassociated with one or more of the printheads 113, 115 based onparticular control parameters, such as temperature of the extruder orextruder tip, pressure applied to the extruder or extruder tip, a typeof material being deposited, a material feed rate, or a combinationthereof. For example, the calibration data 148 may include rheology databased on temperature associated with one or more materials deposited bythe extruders 130, 134.

The memory 142 may also include settings 150. The settings 150 mayinclude control parameters or other values used by the controller 141 tocontrol components of the 3D printer device 101. For example, thesettings 150 may indicate a value of the pressure setting for thepressure regulator 160. In other examples, the settings 150 may indicatea target or actual deposition platform temperature, extruder or extrudertip temperature, filament feed rate, or other information. The settings150 may be updated of modified by a user (e.g., via a user interface,not shown), by the computing device 102 (e.g., via the commands 109), orvia feedback or control input from one or more sensors of the 3D printerdevice 101 (such as a temperature sensor 133 associated with the firstprinthead 113).

In a particular embodiment, the memory 142 may also includepressure-flowrate data 152 that indicates a relationship betweenpressure applied to the plunger 132 and a flowrate of the syringeextruder 130. The pressure-flowrate data 152 may be temperaturedependent. To illustrate, the pressure-flowrate data 152 may specify afirst relationship between the pressure and the flowrate associated withfirst temperature or temperature range, and may specify a secondrelationship between the pressure and the flowrate associated withsecond temperature or temperature range. In this embodiment, thecontroller 141 may update the settings 150 occasionally or periodicallybased on a temperature indicated by the temperature sensor 133. Forexample, the pressure setting of the settings 150 may be updated whenthe temperature changes from the first temperature to the secondtemperature.

The memory 142 may also include point-deposition technique instructions154. The point-deposition technique instruction 154 include instructionsthat enable formation features that have a cross-section within aparticular layer (or multiple layers) that satisfy a point-depositioncriterion (such as being too small to extruder while moving theprintheads 113, 115 in the X direction 138, in the Y direction 139, orboth. Examples of point-deposition techniques are described further withreference to FIGS. 6-10. The point-deposition technique instructions 154may be applied to commands provided by an external computing device,such as the computing device 102, in order to improve interlayeradhesion or other properties (e.g., electrical properties) of small, lowaspect ratio features within a layer or extending between layers.

Accordingly, the 3D printer device 101 enables use of multipleprintheads 113, 115 with multiple distinct materials. Further, the 3Dprinter device 101 includes data, settings and instructions that improveprinting using a syringe type extruder, such as the syringe extruder130. For example, the pressure-flowrate data 152 may be used todetermine a pressure setting for the pressure regulator 160 based on,for example, a target line width, a target line height, a temperatureassociated with the first printhead 113, other information, or acombination thereof. As another example, the point-deposition techniqueinstruction 154 may be used to control deposition by the syringeextruder 130 of material to form small, low aspect ratio features withina layer or extending between layers.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate use pressure (e.g. a pressure setting of thepressure regulator 160) and velocity (e.g., a rate of motion in the Xdirection 138, in the Y direction 139, in the Z direction 140, or in acombination thereof, such as during conformal printing with concurrentmotion in the X, Y and Z directions 138-140) to control line width ofmaterial deposited by the syringe extruder 130 of FIG. 1. In particular,FIG. 2A illustrates line width of a line 202 deposited at a constantvelocity while changing the pressure setting. FIG. 2B illustrates linewidth of a line 210 deposited at a constant pressure setting whilechanging the velocity of motion of the syringe extruder 130.

In FIG. 2A, the pressure setting has a first value during a first time204 and has a second value during a second time 206. The second value isgreater than the first value; thus, the plunger 132 of the syringeextruder 130 is subject to higher pressure during the second time 206than during the first time 204. Due to the pressure difference, the line202 has a first line width during the first time 204 and has a secondline width during the second time 206. The first line width is less thanthe second line width because, although the velocity of the syringeextruder 130 is constant, the flowrate of material deposited by thesyringe extruder 130 during the second time 206 is greater than theflowrate of material during the first time 204 as a result of theincreased pressure. The increased flowrate (with the same extrudervelocity) causes the material deposited during the second time 206 tospread out more than the material deposited during the first time 204.

Further, the pressure setting has a third value during a third time 208.The third value is less than the first value; thus, the syringe extruder130 is subject to less pressure during the third time 208 than duringthe first time 204. Accordingly, during the third time 208, the line 202has a third line width that is less than the first line width. In aparticular embodiment, the pressure-flowrate data 152 may include atable, a set of tables, an algorithm, a set of algorithms, or otherinformation that enables the controller 141 to determine a value of thepressure setting based on a target line width (e.g., a desired linewidth at a particular time), a velocity of the syringe extruder 130, atemperature associated with the syringe extruder 130, or a combinationthereof.

In FIG. 2B, the pressure is constant; however, the velocity has a firstvalue during a first time 212 and has a second value during a secondtime 214. The second value is less than the first value; thus, thesyringe extruder 130 has a constant flowrate, but a reduced velocityduring the second time 214. Due to the velocity difference, the line 210has a first line width during the first time 212 and has a second linewidth during the second time 214. The first line width is less than thesecond line width. The decreased velocity causes the material depositedduring the second time 214 to spread out more than the materialdeposited during the first time 212.

Further, the velocity has a third value during a third time 216. Thethird value is greater than the first value. Accordingly, during thethird time 216, the line 210 has a third line width that is less thanthe first line width. In a particular embodiment, the pressure-flowratedata 152 may include information that enables the controller 141 todetermine a value of the velocity of the syringe extruder 130 based on atarget line width (e.g., a desired line width at a particular time), apressure setting of the pressure regulator 160, a temperature associatedwith the syringe extruder 130, or a combination thereof.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate use pressure (e.g. a pressure setting of thepressure regulator 160) and velocity (e.g., a rate of motion in the Xdirection 138, in the Y direction 139, or a combination thereof) tocontrol line height of material deposited by the syringe extruder 130 ofFIG. 1. In particular, FIG. 3A illustrates line height of a line 302deposited at a constant velocity while changing the pressure setting.FIG. 2B illustrates line width of a line 310 deposited at a constantpressure setting while changing the velocity of motion of the syringeextruder 130.

In FIG. 3A, the pressure setting has a first value during a first time304 and has a second value during a second time 306. The second value isgreater than the first value; thus, the plunger 132 of the syringeextruder 130 is subject to higher pressure during the second time 306than during the first time 304. Due to the pressure difference, the line302 has a first line height during the first time 304 and has a secondline height during the second time 306. The first line height is lessthan the second line height because, although the velocity of thesyringe extruder 130 is constant, the flowrate of material deposited bythe syringe extruder 130 during the second time 306 is greater than theflowrate of material during the first time 304 as a result of theincreased pressure. The increased flowrate (with the same extrudervelocity) causes the material deposited during the second time 306 topile up more than the material deposited during the first time 304

Further, the pressure setting has a third value during a third time 308.The third value is less than the first value; thus, the syringe extruder130 is subject to less pressure during the third time 308 than duringthe first time 304. Accordingly, during the third time 308, the line 302has a third line height that is less than the first line height. In aparticular embodiment, the pressure-flowrate data 152 may include atable, a set of tables, an algorithm, a set of algorithms, or otherinformation that enables the controller 141 to determine a value of thepressure setting based on a target line height (e.g., a desired lineheight at a particular time), a velocity of the syringe extruder 130, atemperature associated with the syringe extruder 130, or a combinationthereof.

In FIG. 3B, the pressure is constant; however, the velocity has a firstvalue during a first time 312 and has a second value during a secondtime 314. The second value is less than the first value; thus, thesyringe extruder 130 has a constant flowrate, but a reduced velocityduring the second time 314. Due to the velocity difference, the line 310has a first line height during the first time 312 and has a second lineheight during the second time 314. The first line height is less thanthe second line height. The decreased velocity causes the materialdeposited during the second time 314 to pile up more than the materialdeposited during the first time 312.

Further, the velocity has a third value during a third time 316. Thethird value is greater than the first value. Accordingly, during thethird time 316, the line 310 has a third line height that is less thanthe first line height. In a particular embodiment, the pressure-flowratedata 152 may include information that enables the controller 141 todetermine a value of the velocity of the syringe extruder 130 based on atarget line height (e.g., a desired line height at a particular time), apressure setting of the pressure regulator 160, a temperature associatedwith the syringe extruder 130, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 4 illustrates several examples of using pressure, velocity, orboth, to control a quantity of material deposited at a particularlocation (e.g., a line width, a line height, or both). FIG. 4illustrates the syringe extruder 130 depositing lines of material withinopenings 404, 414, 424 formed in another material. For example, the Nthextruder 134 of FIG. 1 may be used to deposit a matrix material 402 toform a portion of an object corresponding to a 3D model. The matrixmaterial 402 may define the openings 404, 414, 424.

In a first example 400, the first opening 404 has a first width. In thefirst example 400, the controller 141 of FIG. 1 may set the pressuresetting associated with the pressure regulator 160 to a first pressurevalue, and may control the actuators 143 to achieve movement of thesyringe extruder 130 at a first velocity (e.g., in the X direction 138,in the Y direction 139, or a combination thereof). The first pressurevalue and the first velocity are selected to enable the syringe extruder130 to deposit at least a sufficient quantity of material to form a line406 that extends to each edge of the opening 404. For example, the firstline 406 may have a first line width 408 that is substantially equal toa width of the opening 404.

In a second example 410, the second opening 414 has a second width. Thesecond width of the second opening 414 is greater than the first widthof the first opening 404. To deposit at least a sufficient quantity ofmaterial to form a line 416 that extends to each edge of the opening414, the velocity, the flowrate, or both, of the syringe extruder 130may be controlled. For example, the controller 141 of FIG. 1 may set thepressure setting associated with the pressure regulator 160 to a secondpressure value and may control the actuators 143 to achieve movement ofthe syringe extruder 130 at the first velocity. In this example, thesecond pressure value is greater than the first pressure value used inthe first example 400.

Alternatively, the controller 141 of FIG. 1 may set the pressure settingassociated with the pressure regulator 160 to the first pressure valueand may control the actuators 143 to achieve movement of the syringeextruder 130 at the third velocity. In this example, the third velocityis less than the first velocity used in the first example 400.

In a third example 420, the third opening 424 has a third width. Thethird width of the third opening 424 is less than the first width of thefirst opening 404. To deposit at least a sufficient quantity of materialto form a line 426 that extends to each edge of the opening 424, thevelocity, the flowrate, or both, of the syringe extruder 130 may becontrolled. For example, the controller 141 of FIG. 1 may set thepressure setting associated with the pressure regulator 160 to a thirdpressure value and may control the actuators 143 to achieve movement ofthe syringe extruder 130 at the first velocity. In this example, thethird pressure value is less than the first pressure value used in thefirst example 400.

Alternatively, the controller 141 of FIG. 1 may set the pressure settingassociated with the pressure regulator 160 to the first pressure valueand may control the actuators 143 to achieve movement of the syringeextruder 130 at the second velocity. In this example, the secondvelocity is less than the first velocity used in the first example 400.

Although three examples 400, 410, and 420 are illustrated in FIG. 4,other examples are possible. To illustrate, both the pressure and thevelocity may be controlled to achieve a target line width. Further,during formation of a single physical model, different pressure values,different velocities, or both, may be used to achieve different targetline widths.

FIG. 5 illustrates another example of using pressure, velocity, or both,to control a quantity of material deposited at a particular location(e.g., a line width, a line height, or both). FIG. 5 illustrates thesyringe extruder 130 depositing lines of material within an opening 500formed in another material. For example, the Nth extruder 134 of FIG. 1may be used to deposit the matrix material 402 to form a portion of anobject corresponding to a 3D model. The matrix material 402 may definethe opening 500 (only a portion of which is illustrated in FIG. 5).

The tip of the syringe extruder 130 had an orifice through whichmaterial is extruded. The orifice has a first dimension (e.g., an innerdiameter) that is different from a second dimension (e.g., an outerdiameter) of an outer surface of the tip of the syringe extruder 130.Further, in some embodiments, the tip of the syringe extruder 130 istapered (as illustrated in FIG. 5). Accordingly, the tip of the syringeextruder 130 may be positioned at an offset distance 504 from a wall ofthe opening 500 when the syringe extruder 130 is depositing material.Depositing material at the offset distance 504 from the wall of theopening 500 may lead to issues with the physical model. For example, ifa line 508 deposited closest to the wall does not contact the wall, thephysical model material deposited by the syringe extruder 130 may notadhere sufficiently to the material 402.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the line 508 deposited closest tothe wall has a first line width 506, and other lines 512 depositedfurther from the wall have a second line width 510. The first line width506 and the second line width are controlled based on pressure appliedto the plunger 132 of the syringe extruder 130, velocity of motion ofthe syringe extruder 130, or both. For example, when forming the line508 closest to the wall a higher value of the pressure setting may beused than when forming the other lines 512. Alternatively, or inaddition, when forming the line 508 closest to the wall a lower velocityof motion of the syringe extruder 130 may be used than when forming theother lines 512. Thus, different pressure settings may be used to form asingle physical model or portions of a single layer of the singlephysical model.

FIGS. 6-10 illustrate several aspects of forming a physical model of anobject corresponding to a 3D model using a syringe extruder. Each ofFIGS. 6-10 includes a perspective view and a front view.

FIG. 6 illustrates 3D model 602 of an object. For example, the 3D model602 may be represented by the model data 107 of FIG. 1. In this example,the 3D model 602 may include one or more solid body models formed usinga 3D computer-aided design (CAD) application, such as the 3D modelingapplication 106 of FIG. 1. The 3D model includes a first portion (a body604) corresponding to a first material and a second portion (e.g., afeature 606) corresponding to a second material. For example the body604 may correspond to a matrix material (e.g., a non-conductivestructural polymer), and the feature 606 may correspond to a fillermaterial (e.g., a conductive polymer forming at least part of anelectrical interconnect).

FIG. 7 illustrates a sliced model 702 formed based on the 3D model 602.For example, the sliced model 702 may include a plurality of slices 708.The sliced model 702 may be formed by the slicer application 108 basedon the model data 107 representing the 3D model 602.

In FIG. 7, each slice corresponds to a layer to be printed by a 3Dprinting device (such as the 3D printer device 101 of FIG. 1) to form aphysical model of the object. Each of the slices may include one or moreregions, with each region corresponding to a single material. Forexample, a first slice 710 (e.g., the bottom slice in FIG. 7) mayinclude only a single region, indicating that a layer corresponding tothe first slice 710 is to be printed entirely of a first material.However, a second slice 712 (e.g., a top slice in FIG. 7) may includetwo regions, i.e., a first region 704 corresponding to the firstmaterial and a second region 714 corresponding to a second material.Thus, printing the second slice 712 includes depositing a portion of thefirst material to form the first region 704 and depositing a portion ofthe second material to form the second region 714.

The second region 712 is a portion of a feature (e.g., the electricalinterconnect described with reference to FIG. 6) that extends throughmultiple slices of the sliced model 702 (and accordingly, when formedwill extend through multiple layers of the physical model of theobject). The slicer application 108 may analyze the feature to determinewhether the feature satisfies a point-deposition criterion. For example,if the feature has a cross-sectional dimension (e.g., a length, a width,a diameter, an aspect ratio, or a combination thereof) within one ormore slices, the feature may satisfy the point-deposition criterion. Toillustrate, the point-deposition criterion may be satisfied if thefeature has an aspect ratio that is less than an aspect ratio threshold,has a diameter (or length) that is less than a length threshold, has across-sectional area that is less than a cross-sectional area threshold,or has a combination thereof (e.g., has an aspect ratio that is lessthan an aspect ratio threshold and has a cross-sectional area that isless than a cross-sectional area threshold). The point-depositioncriterion may be determined based on characteristics of the 3D printingdevice that will be used to form a physical model of the sliced model702. For example, for a particular 3D printing device, such as the 3Dprinter device 101 of FIG. 1, thresholds for the point-depositioncriterion may be selected based on a minimum reliable line length of the3D printer device 101. The minimum reliable line length refers to alength of a smallest length of a line that can be deposited by the 3Dprinting device while maintaining desired characteristics, such asinterlayer adhesion, electrical characteristics (e.g., if the materialbeing deposited in conductive), etc.

For example, a first part of the feature may extend along a single sliceand may have a first interlayer feature dimension 720. In this example,a second part of the feature may extend more or less vertically throughseveral slices and may have a second interlayer feature dimension 722.The first interlayer feature dimension 720 may not satisfy thepoint-deposition criterion since the first part has a large aspect ratioand a large length within the single slice. However, the secondinterlayer feature dimension 722 may satisfy the point-depositioncriterion in multiple slices since the second part has a small aspectratio and a small length in each of the multiple slices.

FIG. 8 illustrates a modified sliced model 802 based on the sliced model702 of FIG. 7. The modified sliced model 802 may include one or moremodified slices 804, which are modified relative to slices of the slicedmodel 702. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the modified slices 804are modified to enable forming the second region 712 of FIG. 7 accordingto a point deposition techniques.

For example, the tip 131 of the syringe extruder 130 may have a taperingshape, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The second region 712 of the featurethat extends through multiple slices in the sliced model 702 of FIG. 7has a shape 806 illustrated in FIG. 8. The shape 806 of the secondregion 712 satisfies the point-deposition criterion in each slice thatis modified in FIG. 8. For example, the shape 806 is only slightlylarger than an outer dimension of the tip 131 of the syringe extruder.

In the example of FIG. 8, multiple slices have been modified toaccommodate the tip 131. For example, in the top seven slices of FIG. 8,the shape 806 has been modified to provide an opening sufficiently largefor the tip 131 to extend within layers corresponding to the slices (asillustrated in FIG. 9). Thus, the modified slices 804 enable use of apoint deposition technique in which the tip 131 is positioned below anupper surface of a physical model, and the tip 131 is used to extrudematerial while moving vertically (e.g., in a Z direction 140, asillustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10) rather than laterally (e.g. in the Xdirection 138, the Y direction 139, or both).

FIG. 9 illustrates a first stage during formation of a physical model902 corresponding to the modified sliced model 802. For example, aplurality of layers 908 of a first material 904 have been depositedleaving an opening 910 in each layer that corresponds to one of themodified slices 804. The opening 910 in each layer is to accommodate thetip 131 and to receive a second material 906 deposited according to apoint-deposition technique. In FIG. 9, the tip 131 is moved vertically(e.g., in the Z direction) to insert the tip 131 into openings 910within layers of the first material 904.

FIG. 10 illustrates a second stage during formation of the physicalmodel 902 corresponding to the modified sliced model 802. The secondstage may be subsequent to the first stage illustrated in FIG. 9. In thesecond stage, the tip 131 is moved vertically (e.g., in the Z direction)while depositing the second material 906 to fill the opening in thelayers of the first material.

For example, as illustrated in the callout of the perspective view, thelayers 908 may include a first layer 1002 and a second layer 1004. Thesecond layer 1004 may be positioned above and in contact with the firstlayer 1002. The first layer 1002 includes a first region 1010corresponding to a portion of the first material 904 and a second region1012 corresponding to a portion of the second material 906. The secondlayer 1004 includes a third region 1020 corresponding to a portion ofthe first material 904 and a fourth region 1022 corresponding to aportion of the second material 906. In the example illustrated in FIG.10, multiple layers of the first material 904 are deposited before thesecond material 906 is deposited. To illustrate, the first region 1010and the third region 1020 may be formed before the second region 1012and the fourth region 1022 are formed.

The openings in the layers of the first material 904 to accommodate thetip 131 for a tapered shape. Accordingly, a quantity of the secondmaterial 906 deposited in adjacent layers (such as the first layer 1002and the second layer 1004) may be different. To illustrate, as the tip131 moves in the Z direction, the tip 131 deposits more of the secondmaterial 906 in each layer than in a previous layer. Pressure applied toa plunger of the syringe extruder or velocity of motion of the tip 131may be used to vary the quantity of the second material deposited ineach layer. For example, as the tip 131 is moved in the Z direction, thepressure setting of the pressure regulator 160 may remain constant andthe rate of motion in the Z direction may change (e.g., decrease) overtime. As another example, as the tip 131 is moved in the Z direction,the pressure setting of the pressure regulator 160 may be changed (e.g.,increased) and the rate of motion in the Z direction may remainconstant. As yet another example, as the tip 131 is moved in the Zdirection, the pressure setting of the pressure regulator 160 may bechanged (e.g., increased) and the rate of motion in the Z direction maybe changed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a particular embodiment of a method 1100 thatmay be performed by one or more devices or components of the system 100of FIG. 1. For example, the method 1100 may be performed by thecontroller 141 of the 3D printer device 101 executing instructions fromthe memory 142. As another example, the method 1100 may be performed bythe processor 103 of the computing device 102 executing instructionsfrom the memory 104.

The method 1100 includes, at 1102, obtaining model data specifying athree-dimensional (3D) model of an object. The 3D model includes a firstportion corresponding to a first material and a second portioncorresponding to a second material. For example, the 3D model maycorrespond to the model data 107 of FIG. 1. As another example, the 3Dmodel may include or correspond to the 3D model 602 of and the featurecorresponding to the second portion may correspond to the feature 606.In some implementations, the first material may include a matrixmaterial (e.g., a non-conductive material, such as a polymer), and thesecond material may include a filler material (e.g., a conductivematerial, such as a conductive polymer). Thus, the 3D model may includea conductive features, such as a wire, formed of the second materialextending though portions of the first material.

The method 1100 includes, at 1104, processing the model data to generatea sliced model defining a plurality of layers to be deposited to form aphysical model of the object. For example, the sliced model may includeor correspond to the sliced model 702 of FIG. 7. In this example, thesliced model may include a plurality of slices 708.

The method 1100 includes, at 1106, identifying, based on the slicedmodel, an elongated feature extending between multiple layers of theplurality of layers and having, in each of the multiple layers,cross-sectional dimensions that satisfy a point-deposition criterion.For example, the elongated feature may correspond to or include thefeature 706 that has the second intralayer feature dimension 722. Insome implementations, the point-deposition criterion is satisfied whenan aspect ratio determined based on the cross-sectional dimensions isless than an aspect ratio threshold.

In some implementations, after identifying the elongated feature, thesliced model may be modified. For example, the slice model may bemodified to increase a cross-sectional area of the elongated feature inat least one layer of the multiple layers. To illustrate, thecross-sectional area of the elongated feature may be increased based ona dimension associated with an extruder of the 3D printing device, wherethe extruder is associated with the second material. For example, in thesliced model 702 of FIG. 7, the feature 706 has a first cross-section,which is modified to generate the modified sliced model 802 of FIG. 8.The modified sliced model 802 is used to form the layers 908 of FIG. 9,which include openings to receive a portion of the second material toform a physical model of the elongated features. In this example, thecross-section of the elongated feature in the first layer of thephysical model 902 corresponds to a cross-section of the opening in thefirst layer. Also, the cross-sectional area of the feature 606 in the 3Dmodel 602 is less than a cross-sectional area of the opening 910 in theat least some of the layers 908. Thus, in some layers, the sliced model702 is modified to increase a cross-sectional dimension associated withthe feature.

The method 1100 includes, at 1108, generating machine instructionsexecutable by a 3D printing device to, for a first layer of the multiplelayers, deposit a portion of the first material to define an openingassociated with the elongated feature and deposit a portion of thesecond material within the opening according to a point-depositiontechnique. The machine instructions may include or correspond to thecommands 109 of FIG. 1. The machine instructions may enable depositing aportion of the first material (e.g., corresponding to the first region704 of FIG. 7) to define an opening corresponding the opening 808 ofFIG. 8. The machine instructions may also enable depositing a portion ofthe second material within the opening as illustrated in FIG. 10.

In some implementations, the machine instructions include instructionsto translate a first extruder associated with the first material along afirst axis, along a second axis, or both, to deposit the portion of thefirst material. For example, the machine instruction may cause the oneor more of the extruders 130, 134 of FIG. 1 to move in the X direction138, in the Y direction 139, or both, while depositing the firstmaterial. In some such implementations, the portion of the secondmaterial is deposited according to a point-deposition technique withouttranslating a second extruder along the first axis and withouttranslating the second extruder along the second axis. To illustrate,the syringe extruder 130 may deposit the second material according tothe point-deposition technique by extruding the second material whilestationary in the X direction 138 and in the Y direction 139; however,the syringe extruder 130 may move relative to the deposition platform112 in the Z direction 140.

In some implementations, the point-deposition technique causes aquantity of the second material sufficient to fill the opening to bedeposited. The quantity of the second material deposited may bedetermined based on a flowrate of the second material. To illustrate,the second material may dep be deposited using the syringe extruder 130.In this illustrative example, generating the machine instructions mayinclude determining a pressure setting and an extrusion time (or valuesof others of the settings 150) to cause the syringe extruder 130 todeposit the quantity of the second material. For example, as illustratedin FIG. 10, the pressure setting, the velocity of motion of the tip 131of the syringe extruder 130, or both, may be controlled to substantiallyfill the opening 910 of FIG. 9 with the second material 906.

In a particular implementation, the machine instructions may cause the3D printing device to deposit at least a second layer of the multiplelayers before depositing the portion of the second material within theopening. To illustrate, in FIG. 9, regions 1010 and 1020 of the firstand second layers 1002 and 1004, respectively, are formed of the firstmaterial 904 before the second material 906 is deposited in an opening910 formed in the first and second layers 1002 and 1004. Thus, theopening 910 extends between multiple layers, including the first layerand the second layer. The syringe extruder 130 is used to deposit aportion of the second material 906 in the opening 910 sufficient to fillthe opening 910. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, themachine instructions may cause the tip 131 of the syringe extruder 130to be positioned below a surface of the layers of the first material 904during at least a portion of the point-deposition technique. In thisexample, the tip 131 of the syringe extruder 130 may be translated in adirection perpendicular to a surface of the layers of the first material904 (e.g., in the Z direction) during at least a portion of thepoint-deposition technique.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a particular embodiment of a method 1200 thatmay be performed by one or more devices or components of the system 100of FIG. 1. For example, the method 1200 may be performed by the 3Dprinter device 101 (or a one or more components thereof).

The method 1200 includes, at 1202, receiving machine instructions thatenable generating a physical model of an object including an elongatedfeature. The elongated feature extends between multiple layers of aplurality of layers of the physical model and has, in each of themultiple layers, a cross-sectional dimension that satisfies apoint-deposition criterion. For example, the object may correspond tothe sliced model 702 of FIG. 7, which includes the feature 706, aportion of which extends through multiple slices of the sliced model702.

The method 1200 includes, at 1204, depositing, using a first extruder ofa three-dimensional (3D) printer device, a portion of a first materialto define an opening associated with the elongated feature of thephysical model. For example, the 3D printer device 101 of FIG. 1 may beused to deposit a portion of the first material 904 of FIG. 9 in amanner that defines the opening 910 associate with at least a portion ofthe feature 706.

The method 1200 includes, at 1206, depositing, using a second extruderof the 3D printer device, a portion of a second material to form aportion of the elongated feature according to a point-depositiontechnique. The point-deposition technique causes the portion of thesecond material to be deposited within the opening. For example, the tip131 of the syringe extruder 130 may be inserted into at least a portionof the opening 910 in the first material 904 of FIG. 9. In this example,the syringe extruder 130 may deposit a portion of the second material906 in the opening as the syringe extruder 130 is moved in the Zdirection (as illustrated in FIG. 10).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a particular embodiment of a method 1300 thatmay be performed by one or more devices or components of the system 100of FIG. 1. For example, the method 1300 may be performed by thecontroller 141 of the 3D printer device 101 executing instructions fromthe memory 142. As another example, the method 1300 may be performed bythe processor 103 of the computing device 102 executing instructionsfrom the memory 104.

The method 1300 includes, at 1302, obtaining model data specifying athree-dimensional (3D) model of an object. For example, the computingdevice 102 of the 3D printer device 101 of FIG. 1 may receive the modeldata 107, which includes or corresponds to a 3D model of an object. Toillustrate, the model data 107 may represent the 3D model 602 of FIG. 6.

The method 1300 includes, at 1304, processing the model data to generatea sliced model defining a plurality of layers to be deposited to form aphysical model of the object, the plurality of layers including a firstlayer and a second layer. The second layer is above and in contact withthe first layer, the first layer including a first region correspondingto a first material and a second region corresponding to a secondmaterial, and the second layer including a third region corresponding tothe first material and a fourth region corresponding to the secondmaterial. For example, model data representing the 3D model 602 of FIG.6 may be processed to generate the sliced model 702 of FIG. 7. Asdescribed with reference to FIG. 10, the sliced model may includeadjacent slices (e.g., a first slice and a second slice) correspondingto the first layer 1002 and the second layer 1004, respectively. Thefirst layer 1002 includes the first region 1010 corresponding to thefirst material and includes the second region 1012 corresponding to thesecond material. Further, the second layer 1004 includes the thirdregion 1020 corresponding to the first material and includes the fourthregion 1022 corresponding to the second material.

The method 1300 includes, at 1306, generating machine instructionsexecutable by a 3D printing device to deposit a portion of the firstmaterial corresponding to the first region and to the third regionbefore depositing a portion of the second material corresponding to thesecond region and to the fourth region. For example, as described withreference to FIG. 10, first material may be deposited to form the firstregion 1010 and the third region 1020 before second material isdeposited to form the second region 1012 and the fourth region 1022.

In some implementations, depositing the portion of the second materialcorresponding to the second region includes positioning a tip of anextruder associated with the second material below an upper surface ofthe first material. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the tip 131of the syringe extruder 130 may be inserted in the opening defined bylayers of the first material 904 to deposit the second material 906below an upper surface of the first material 904.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a particular embodiment of a method 1400 thatmay be performed by one or more devices or components of the system 100of FIG. 1. For example, the method 1400 may be performed by thecontroller 141 of the 3D printer device 101 executing instructions fromthe memory 142. As another example, the method 1400 may be performed bythe processor 103 of the computing device 102 executing instructionsfrom the memory 104.

The method 1400 includes, at 1402, obtaining model data specifying athree-dimensional (3D) model of an object. For example, the computingdevice 102 of the 3D printer device 101 of FIG. 1 may receive the modeldata 107, which includes or corresponds to a 3D model of an object. Toillustrate, the model data 107 may represent the 3D model 602 of FIG. 6.

The method 1400 includes, at 1404, generating first machine instructionsexecutable by a 3D printing device to generate a first portion of aphysical model of the object by depositing material using a syringeextruder. The first machine instructions indicate a first value of apressure setting, the pressure setting indicating a pressure to beapplied to the syringe extruder. For example, the pressure setting mayinclude a value stored in the settings 150 that indicates a setting ofthe pressure regulator 160 that controls fluid pressure applied to theplunger 132 of the syringe extruder 130 of FIG. 1. The first machineinstructions may include a data field indicating the first value of thepressure setting. Alternatively, the first machine instruction mayinclude information (such as a target flowrate, a target line width, atarget line height, etc.) that the controller 141 can use along with thepressure-flowrate data 152 to determine the first value of the pressuresetting.

The method 1400 includes, at 1406, generating second machineinstructions executable by a 3D printing device to generate a secondportion of the physical model of the object by depositing material usingthe syringe extruder. The second machine instructions indicate a secondvalue of the pressure setting, the second value different from the firstvalue. As with the first value of the pressure setting, the second valueof the pressure setting may indicate a setting of the pressure regulator160 and may be included a data field of the second machine instructionor may be derived from information in the second machine instructionsalong with the pressure-flowrate data 152.

In some implementations, the controller 141, the computing device 102,or another device may determine the pressure-to-flowrate data 152 bydetermining a flowrate-to-pressure relationship of the material. Toillustrate, one or more test prints may be performed by the 3D printerdevice 101 to determine the flowrate-to-pressure relationship of thematerial. As another example, data specifying the flowrate-to-pressurerelationship (e.g., rheology data) of the material may be provided tothe computing device 102, to the 3D printer device 101, or to both, froman external source, such as a vendor of the material.

In some implementations, the flowrate-to-pressure relationship may betemperature dependent. For example, during operation, the 3D printerdevice 101 may determine a temperature associated with the firstprinthead 113 based on output of the temperature sensor 133. Thetemperature associated with the first printhead 113 may correspond to orbe correlated with the temperature of the material. The temperature ofthe material may be used to select (e.g., from a look up table) orcalculate the flowrate-to-pressure relationship of the material. In suchan implementation, the first value of the pressure setting may bedetermined based on a first temperature associated with the material,and the second value of the pressure setting may be determined based ona second temperature (e.g., at a later time) associated with thematerial.

In some implementations, the value of the pressure setting may bedetermined (e.g., by the controller 141) based on target characteristicsof a line that is to be deposited. For example, the first value of thepressure setting may be determined based on a first target line width(or a first target line height) of the material, and the second value ofthe pressure setting may be determined based on a second target linewidth (or a second target line height) of the material. The first targetline width (or the first target line height) may be different from thesecond target line width (or the second target line height). Forexample, in some circumstances, a larger (e.g., wider or taller) thannormal line may be deposited in a particular location (e.g., to fill aspace (as illustrated in FIG. 4) if the space is smaller than twonormal-sized lines, but larger than one normal sized line. In thisexample, the second target line width (or the second target line height)may be greater than the first target line width (or the first targetline height) but less than two times the first target line width (or thefirst target line height). To illustrate, the second target line width(or the second target line height) may be greater than the first targetline width (or the first target line height) by a non-integer multiple.The pressure setting, velocity of the extruder, or both, may becontrolled to deposit the larger than normal line.

In a particular embodiment, the syringe extruder 130 has a firstflowrate when the pressure setting has the first value and has a secondflowrate (different than the first flowrate) when the pressure settinghas the second value. In addition to or instead of controlling thepressure setting, the velocity of motion of the extruder may becontroller to control characteristics (e.g., line width or line height)of deposited material. For example, the first machine instructions mayinclude first instructions to cause the syringe extruder 130 to move ata first speed while depositing the material, and the second machineinstructions may include second instructions to cause the syringeextruder 130 to move at the first speed while depositing the material.The first speed may be the same as or different from the second speed.

In some implementations, the material deposited by the syringe extruder130 may be deposited within an opening (or set of openings) formed inanother material. For example, a third portion of the physical model maybe associated with a second material and may define a first opening. Inthis example, the first value of the pressure setting may be selected tocause the syringe extruder to, during a single pass, substantially fillthe first opening to form the first portion of the physical model.Likewise, in this example, a fourth portion of the physical model may beassociated with the second material and may define a second opening. Thesecond value of the pressure setting may be selected to cause thesyringe extruder to, during a single pass, substantially fill the secondopening to form the second portion of the physical model. The firstopening may have a first width that is the same as or different from asecond width of the second opening. To illustrate, as described withreference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B and 4, the pressure setting, thevelocity of motion of the extruder, or both, may be varied to achievevarious line widths (or line heights), e.g., to substantially fill anopening.

In another example, the third portion of the physical model (associatedwith the second material) may define an opening. During deposition of aportion of the material to form the first portion of the physical model,the syringe extruder may be offset from a wall of the first opening byan offset distance, as illustrated in FIG. 5. In this example, the firstvalue of the pressure setting may be selected to cause the syringeextruder to deposit a line of the material having a line width equal toor greater than the offset distance, such as the line width 506. In thisexample, the second line width may correspond to the second line width510, which may be used to form other lines of the material in theopening.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a particular embodiment of a method 1500 thatmay be performed by one or more devices or components of the system 100of FIG. 1. For example, the method 1500 may be performed by the 3Dprinter device 101 (or one or more components thereof).

The method 1500 includes, at 1502, receiving machine instructions thatenable generating a physical model of an object, the physical modelincluding a plurality of layers that includes a first layer and a secondlayer. The second layer is above and in contact with the first layer.The first layer includes a first region corresponding to a firstmaterial and a second region corresponding to a second material, andwherein the second layer includes a third region corresponding to thefirst material and a fourth region corresponding to the second material.For example, the machine instructions may include or correspond to thecommands 109 of FIG. 1. The machine instructions specify operations toform a physical model of an object. For example, the object maycorrespond to the 3D model 602 of FIG. 6. In this example, the 3D model602 may be sliced to form the sliced model 702 of FIG. 7. The slicedmodel 702 may be modified to form the modified sliced model 802, whichmay be used to form machine instructions. The 3D printer device 101performing operations described by the machine instructions may depositmaterial corresponding to a plurality of layers 908, which includes thefirst layer 1002 and the second layer 1004.

The method 1500 includes, at 1504, depositing, based on the machineinstructions, a portion of the first material corresponding to the firstregion and to the third region. For example, the first material 904 ofFIG. 10 may be deposited to form the first region 1010 and the thirdregion 1020.

The method 1500 includes, at 1502, after depositing the portion of thefirst material, depositing, based on the machine instructions, a portionof the second material corresponding to the second region and to thefourth region. For example, the second material 906 of FIG. 10 may bedeposited to form the second region 1012 and the fourth region 1022.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a particular embodiment of a method 1600 thatmay be performed by one or more devices or components of the system 100of FIG. 1. For example, the method 1600 may be performed by the 3Dprinter device 101 (or one or more components thereof).

The method 1600 includes, at 1602, receiving first machine instructionsassociated with a first portion of a physical model of an object andsecond machine instructions associated with a second portion of thephysical model. The first machine instructions indicates a first valueof a pressure setting, the pressure setting indicating a first pressureto be applied to a syringe extruder, and the second machine instructionsindicates a second value of the pressure setting, the second valuedifferent from the first value. For example, the machine instruction mayinclude or correspond to the commands 109 of FIG. 1. The machineinstructions may specify values of one or more of the settings 150.Alternately, the machine instructions may include information that isused by the controller 141 to determine the values of the settings 150.To illustrate, the machine instructions may include target lineinformation, such as flowrate information, line height information, linewidth information, or other parameters related to flowrate. In thisillustrative example, the controller 141 may determine values of varioussettings, such as a pressure setting, a temperature setting, a velocitysetting, etc., to achieve line parameters specified by the target lineinformation. The various settings may be determined, for example, basedon the pressure-flowrate data 152, based on the calibration data 148, orbased on other information.

The method 1600 includes, at 1604, depositing, using the syringeextruder of a three-dimensional (3D) printer device, a portion of amaterial at a first flowrate to form the first portion based on thefirst machine instructions. For example, the syringe extruder 130 may beused to deposit a first portion of a line having a first line width asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B by setting a flowrate of thesyringe extruder 130 (based on a pressure setting of the pressureregulator 160) and a velocity of motion of the syringe extruder 130. Asanother example, the syringe extruder 130 may be used to deposit thefirst portion of the line having a first line height as described withreference to FIGS. 3A and 3B by setting a flowrate of the syringeextruder 130 (based on a pressure setting of the pressure regulator 160)and a velocity of motion of the syringe extruder 130.

The method 1600 includes, at 1606, depositing, using the syringeextruder, another portion of the material at a second flowrate to formthe second portion based on the second machine instructions, the firstflowrate different from the second flowrate. For example, the syringeextruder 130 may be used to deposit a second portion of the line havinga second line width as described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B bysetting a flowrate of the syringe extruder 130 (based on a pressuresetting of the pressure regulator 160) and a velocity of motion of thesyringe extruder 130. As another example, the syringe extruder 130 maybe used to deposit the second portion of the line having a second lineheight as described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B by setting aflowrate of the syringe extruder 130 (based on a pressure setting of thepressure regulator 160) and a velocity of motion of the syringe extruder130.

The illustrations of the examples described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousimplementations. The illustrations are not intended to serve as acomplete description of all of the elements and features of apparatusand systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein.Many other implementations may be apparent to those of skill in the artupon reviewing the disclosure. Other implementations may be utilized andderived from the disclosure, such that structural and logicalsubstitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scopeof the disclosure. For example, method operations may be performed in adifferent order than shown in the figures or one or more methodoperations may be omitted. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figuresare to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

Moreover, although specific examples have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangementdesigned to achieve the same or similar results may be substituted forthe specific implementations shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all subsequent adaptations or variations of variousimplementations. Combinations of the above implementations, and otherimplementations not specifically described herein, will be apparent tothose of skill in the art upon reviewing the description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is submitted with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, variousfeatures may be grouped together or described in a single implementationfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. Examples described aboveillustrate but do not limit the disclosure. It should also be understoodthat numerous modifications and variations are possible in accordancewith the principles of the present disclosure. As the following claimsreflect, the claimed subject matter may be directed to less than all ofthe features of any of the disclosed examples. Accordingly, the scope ofthe disclosure is defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: obtaining model dataspecifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object; processing themodel data to generate a sliced model defining a plurality of layers tobe deposited to form a physical model of the object, the plurality oflayers including a first layer and a second layer, wherein the secondlayer is above and in contact with the first layer, the first layerincluding a first region corresponding to a first material and a secondregion corresponding to a second material, and the second layerincluding a third region corresponding to the first material and afourth region corresponding to the second material; and generatingmachine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to deposit aportion of the first material corresponding to the first region and tothe third region before depositing a portion of the second materialcorresponding to the second region and to the fourth region.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein depositing the portion of the second materialcorresponding to the second region includes positioning a tip of anextruder associated with the second material below an upper surface ofthe first material.
 3. A method comprising: obtaining model dataspecifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object; generating firstmachine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to generate afirst portion of a physical model of the object by depositing materialusing a syringe extruder, wherein the first machine instructionsindicate a first value of a pressure setting, the pressure settingindicating a pressure to be applied to the syringe extruder; andgenerating second machine instructions executable by a 3D printingdevice to generate a second portion of the physical model of the objectby depositing material using the syringe extruder, wherein the secondmachine instructions indicate a second value of the pressure setting,the second value different from the first value.
 4. The method of claim3, wherein the pressure setting indicates a setting of a pressureregulator that controls fluid pressure applied to a plunger of thesyringe extruder.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the syringe extruderhas a first flowrate when the pressure setting has the first value andhas a second flowrate when the pressure setting has the second value,and wherein the first flowrate is different from the second flowrate. 6.The method of claim 3, wherein the first machine instructions furtherinclude first instructions to cause the syringe extruder to move at afirst speed while depositing the material, and the second machineinstructions further include second instructions to cause the syringeextruder to move at the first speed while depositing the material. 7.The method of claim 3, wherein the first machine instructions furtherinclude first instructions to cause the syringe extruder to move at afirst speed while depositing the material, and the second machineinstructions further include second instructions to cause the syringeextruder to move at a second speed while depositing the material,wherein the first speed is different from the second speed.
 8. Themethod of claim 3, wherein the first value of the pressure setting isdetermined based on a first temperature associated with the material,wherein the second value of the pressure setting is determined based ona second temperature associated with the material.
 9. The method ofclaim 3, further comprising determining, based on characteristics of thematerial, a flowrate-to-pressure relationship of the material beforegenerating the first machine instructions.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein the flowrate-to-pressure relationship of the material isdetermined based on a temperature associated with the material.
 11. Themethod of claim 3, wherein the first value of the pressure setting isdetermined based on a first target line width of the material, whereinthe second value of the pressure setting is determined based on a secondtarget line width of the material, wherein the first target line widthis different from the second target line width.
 12. The method of claim11, wherein the second target line width is greater than the firsttarget line width by a non-integer multiple.
 13. The method of claim 11,wherein the second target line width is greater than the first targetline width and is less than two times the first target line width. 14.The method of claim 3, wherein the first value of the pressure settingis determined based on a first target line height of the material,wherein the second value of the pressure setting is determined based ona second target line height of the material, wherein the first targetline height is different from the second target line height.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the second target line height is greaterthan the first target line height by a non-integer multiple.
 16. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the second target line height is greaterthan the first target height and is less than two times the first targetline height.
 17. The method of claim 3, wherein a third portion of thephysical model is associated with a second material, wherein the thirdportion of the physical model defines a first opening, and wherein thefirst value of the pressure setting is selected to cause the syringeextruder to, during a single pass, substantially fill the first openingto form the first portion of the physical model.
 18. The method of claim17, wherein a fourth portion of the physical model is associated withthe second material, wherein the fourth portion of the physical modeldefines a second opening, and wherein the second value of the pressuresetting is selected to cause the syringe extruder to, during a singlepass, substantially fill the second opening to form the second portionof the physical model.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the firstopening has a first width, the second opening has a second width, andthe first width is different from the second width.
 20. The method ofclaim 3, wherein a third portion of the physical model is associatedwith a second material, wherein the third portion of the physical modeldefines a first opening, and wherein, during deposition of the firstportion of the physical model, the syringe extruder is offset from awall of the first opening by an offset distance, and the first value ofthe pressure setting is selected to cause the syringe extruder todeposit a line of the material having a line width equal to or greaterthan the offset distance.
 21. A computer-readable storage device storinginstructions that are executable by a processor to cause the processorto perform operations comprising: obtaining model data specifying athree-dimensional (3D) model of an object; processing the model data togenerate a sliced model defining a plurality of layers to be depositedto form a physical model of the object, the plurality of layersincluding a first layer and a second layer, wherein the second layer isabove and in contact with the first layer, the first layer including afirst region corresponding to a first material and a second regioncorresponding to a second material, and the second layer including athird region corresponding to the first material and a fourth regioncorresponding to the second material; and generating machineinstructions executable by a 3D printing device to deposit a portion ofthe first material corresponding to the first region and to the thirdregion before depositing a portion of the second material correspondingto the second region and to the fourth region.
 22. A computer-readablestorage device storing instructions that are executable by a processorto cause the processor to perform operations comprising: obtaining modeldata specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object; generatingfirst machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device togenerate a first portion of a physical model of the object by depositingmaterial using a syringe extruder, wherein the first machineinstructions indicate a first value of a pressure setting, the pressuresetting indicating a pressure to be applied to the syringe extruder; andgenerating second machine instructions executable by a 3D printingdevice to generate a second portion of the physical model of the objectby depositing material using the syringe extruder, wherein the secondmachine instructions indicate a second value of the pressure setting,the second value different from the first value.
 23. A computing devicecomprising: a processor; and a memory accessible to the processor, thememory storing instructions that are executable by the processor tocause the processor to perform operations comprising: obtaining modeldata specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object; processingthe model data to generate a sliced model defining a plurality of layersto be deposited to form a physical model of the object, the plurality oflayers including a first layer and a second layer, wherein the secondlayer is above and in contact with the first layer, the first layerincluding a first region corresponding to a first material and a secondregion corresponding to a second material, and the second layerincluding a third region corresponding to the first material and afourth region corresponding to the second material; and generatingmachine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to deposit aportion of the first material corresponding to the first region and tothe third region before depositing a portion of the second materialcorresponding to the second region and to the fourth region.
 24. Acomputing device comprising: a processor; and a memory accessible to theprocessor, the memory storing instructions that are executable by theprocessor to cause the processor to perform operations comprising:obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of anobject; generating first machine instructions executable by a 3Dprinting device to generate a first portion of a physical model of theobject by depositing material using a syringe extruder, wherein thefirst machine instructions indicate a first value of a pressure setting,the pressure setting indicating a pressure to be applied to the syringeextruder; and generating second machine instructions executable by a 3Dprinting device to generate a second portion of the physical model ofthe object by depositing material using the syringe extruder, whereinthe second machine instructions indicate a second value of the pressuresetting, the second value different from the first value.
 25. Athree-dimensional (3D) printer device comprising: one or more extrudersconfigured to deposit a first material and a second material on adeposition platform to generate a physical model of an object, thephysical model including a plurality of layers that includes a firstlayer and a second layer, wherein the second layer is above and incontact with the first layer, wherein the first layer includes a firstregion corresponding to the first material and a second regioncorresponding to the second material, and wherein the second layerincludes a third region corresponding to the first material and a fourthregion corresponding to the second material; an actuator coupled to theone or more extruders, the deposition platform, or a combinationthereof; and a controller coupled to the actuator, the controllerconfigured to: cause the one or more extruders to deposit a portion ofthe first material corresponding to the first region and to the thirdregion; and after depositing the portion of the first material, causethe one or more extruders to deposit a portion of the second materialcorresponding to the second region and to the fourth region.
 26. Athree-dimensional (3D) printer device comprising: a syringe extruderconfigured to deposit a material on a deposition platform at a flowratebased on a pressure regulator setting; an actuator coupled to thesyringe extruder, to the pressure regulator, to the deposition platform,or to a combination thereof; and a controller coupled to the actuator,the controller configured to cause the syringe extruder to deposit afirst portion of the material at a first flowrate to form a firstportion of a physical model of an object based on a first value of thepressure regulator setting and to cause the syringe extruder to deposita second portion of the material at a second flowrate to form a secondportion of the physical model based on a second value of the pressureregulator setting.
 27. A method comprising: receiving machineinstructions that enable generating a physical model of an object, thephysical model including a plurality of layers that includes a firstlayer and a second layer, wherein the second layer is above and incontact with the first layer, wherein the first layer includes a firstregion corresponding to a first material and a second regioncorresponding to a second material, and wherein the second layerincludes a third region corresponding to the first material and a fourthregion corresponding to the second material; depositing, based on themachine instructions, a portion of the first material corresponding tothe first region and to the third region; and after depositing theportion of the first material, depositing, based on the machineinstructions, a portion of the second material corresponding to thesecond region and to the fourth region.
 28. A method comprising:receiving first machine instructions associated with a first portion ofa physical model of an object and second machine instructions associatedwith a second portion of the physical model, wherein the first machineinstructions indicate a first value of a pressure setting, the pressuresetting indicating a first pressure to be applied to a syringe extruder,and wherein the second machine instructions indicate a second value ofthe pressure setting, the second value different from the first value;depositing, using the syringe extruder of a three-dimensional (3D)printer device, a portion of a material at a first flowrate to form thefirst portion based on the first machine instructions; and depositing,using the syringe extruder, another portion of the material at a secondflowrate to form the second portion based on the second machineinstructions, the first flowrate different from the second flowrate. 29.A method comprising: obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional(3D) model of an object, the 3D model including a first portioncorresponding to a first material and a second portion corresponding toa second material; processing the model data to generate a sliced modeldefining a plurality of layers to be deposited to form a physical modelof the object; identifying, based on the sliced model, an elongatedfeature extending between multiple layers of the plurality of layers andhaving, in each of the multiple layers, cross-sectional dimensions thatsatisfy a point-deposition criterion; and generating machineinstructions executable by a 3D printing device to, for a first layer ofthe multiple layers, deposit a portion of the first material to definean opening associated with the elongated feature and deposit a portionof the second material within the opening according to apoint-deposition technique.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein themachine instructions include instructions to translate a first extruderassociated with the first material along a first axis, along a secondaxis, or both, to deposit the portion of the first material.
 31. Themethod of claim 30, wherein the portion of the second material isdeposited according to a point-deposition technique without translatinga second extruder along the first axis and without translating thesecond extruder along the second axis.
 32. The method of claim 29,wherein the point-deposition technique causes a quantity of the secondmaterial sufficient to fill the opening to be deposited.
 33. The methodof claim 32, wherein the quantity of the second material is determinedbased on a flowrate of the second material.
 34. The method of claim 32,wherein the second material is deposited using a syringe extruder, andwherein generating machine instructions to deposit the portion of thesecond material according to the point-deposition technique includesdetermining a pressure setting and an extrusion time to cause thesyringe extruder to deposit the quantity of the second material.
 35. Themethod of claim 29, wherein a cross-section of the elongated feature inthe first layer of the physical model corresponds to a cross-section ofthe opening in the first layer.
 36. The method of claim 29, wherein across-sectional area of the elongated feature in the 3D model is lessthan a cross-sectional area of the opening in the first layer.
 37. Themethod of claim 29, further comprising, after identifying the elongatedfeature, modifying the sliced model to increase a cross-sectional areaof the elongated feature in at least one layer of the multiple layers.38. The method of claim 37, wherein the cross-sectional area of theelongated feature is increased based on a dimension associated with anextruder of the 3D printing device, wherein the extruder is associatedwith the second material.
 39. The method of claim 29, wherein themachine instructions are further executable by the 3D printing deviceto, before depositing the portion of the second material within theopening, deposit at least a second layer of the multiple layers, whereinthe opening extends between the first layer and the second layer, andwherein the portion of the second material deposited within the openingis sufficient to fill the opening extending between the first layer andthe second layer.
 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the machineinstructions cause a tip of an extruder associated with the secondmaterial to be positioned below a surface of the second layer during atleast a portion of the point-deposition technique.
 41. The method ofclaim 39, wherein the machine instructions cause a tip of an extruderassociated with the second material to translate in a directionperpendicular to a surface of the second layer during at least a portionof the point-deposition technique.
 42. The method of claim 29, whereinthe point-deposition criterion is satisfied when an aspect ratiodetermined based on the cross-sectional dimensions is less than anaspect ratio threshold.
 43. A computer-readable storage device storinginstructions that are executable by a processor to cause the processorto perform operations comprising: obtaining model data specifying athree-dimensional (3D) model of an object, the 3D model including afirst portion corresponding to a first material and a second portioncorresponding to a second material; processing the model data togenerate a sliced model defining a plurality of layers to be depositedto form a physical model of the object; identifying, based on the slicedmodel, an elongated feature extending between multiple layers of theplurality of layers and having, in each of the multiple layers,cross-sectional dimensions that satisfy a point-deposition criterion;and generating machine instructions executable by a 3D printing deviceto, for a first layer of the multiple layers, deposit a portion of thefirst material to define an opening associated with the elongatedfeature and deposit a portion of the second material within the openingaccording to a point-deposition technique.
 44. A computing devicecomprising: a processor; and a memory accessible to the processor, thememory storing instructions that are executable by the processor tocause the processor to perform operations comprising: obtaining modeldata specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object, the 3Dmodel including a first portion corresponding to a first material and asecond portion corresponding to a second material; processing the modeldata to generate a sliced model defining a plurality of layers to bedeposited to form a physical model of the object; identifying, based onthe sliced model, an elongated feature extending between multiple layersof the plurality of layers and having, in each of the multiple layers,cross-sectional dimensions that satisfy a point-deposition criterion;and generating machine instructions executable by a 3D printing deviceto, for a first layer of the multiple layers, deposit a portion of thefirst material to define an opening associated with the elongatedfeature and deposit a portion of the second material within the openingaccording to a point-deposition technique.
 45. A three-dimensional (3D)printer device comprising: a first extruder configured to deposit afirst material on a deposition platform; a second extruder configured todeposit a second material on the deposition platform; an actuatorcoupled to the first extruder, to the second extruder, to the depositionplatform, or to a combination thereof; and a controller coupled to theactuator, the controller configured to: cause the first extruder todeposit a portion of the first material to define an opening associatedwith an elongated feature of a physical model of an object, wherein theelongated feature extends between multiple layers of a plurality oflayers of the physical model and has, in each of the multiple layers, across-sectional dimension that satisfies a point-deposition criterion;and cause the second extruder to deposit a portion of the secondmaterial to form a portion of the elongated feature using apoint-deposition technique, wherein the point-deposition techniquedeposits the portion of the second material within the opening.
 46. Amethod comprising: receiving machine instructions that enable generatinga physical model of an object including an elongated feature, whereinthe elongated feature extends between multiple layers of a plurality oflayers of the physical model and has, in each of the multiple layers, across-sectional dimension that satisfies a point-deposition criterion;depositing, using a first extruder of a three-dimensional (3D) printerdevice, a portion of a first material to define an opening associatedwith the elongated feature of the physical model; and depositing, usinga second extruder of the 3D printer device, a portion of a secondmaterial to form a portion of the elongated feature according to apoint-deposition technique, wherein the point-deposition techniquecauses the portion of the second material to be deposited within theopening.